Expansible band or bracelet



Jan. 8, 1929. I 1,698,134

c. H. KESTENMAN EXPANSIBLE BAND OR BRACKET Filed July 27. 1926 Patented Jan. 8, F929.

hair-en stars CHARLES H. KESTENMAN, F PEOVIDENGE RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO KESTEN- v stain MAITBBOS. MFG. 00., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

Application filed 31113 27,

This invention relates to improvements in expansible metal bands, chains, or linkages for use as articles of jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, girdles and the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved article ofmanufacture of the type specified comprising articulated links or chain-elements which are adapted to flex, one in relation to another and to slide 0 longitudinally relatively to each other to allow expansion in the length of the bracelet or other article. I

Another object of the intention is to provide an expansible band, chain, or linkage in which the individual links may be easily 'dis connected and detached to shorten the length of the bracelet or other article and to permit the insertion of added links to lengthen the bracelet.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified in which he links may be constructed from sheet metal blanks struck'up in dies and assembl d in interconnected relation without the use of pins, rivets, or soldered joints.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified having a -neater and more ornamental appearance, and of stronger construction and proof against breakage or damage in use.

Further objects of the improvement are setforth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the general appearance of the band or chain and showing it with its links in contracted relation, but flexed in substantially circular form; V

Fig. 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view showing several of the connected links and illustrating a portion thereof in section to disclose the resilient empansion-means enclosed herein; 1

Fig. is a side view of several of the links she in two of the main links in section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4. is a cross-sectional view of one of the links taken on line lof Fig. 2 and showing the arrangement of the expansionsprings which are held within the outer main links;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the under side of two sections of theassembled EXPANSIBLE BAND OR BRACELET.

1926. Serial No. 125,233.

two elements of the inner sliding link; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the construction of the central link which may be used to fasten the two sections of the bracelet together. i

' My improved band, chain or linkage consists in general of a series of main elements or outer link members 2 of substantially boxlike form assembled with inner connectinglinks or slides 3 which are telescoped within the main links and held in contracted relation by resilient means such as the springs 4 to adapt them to be drawn out. or extended in relation to the main links to provide for the expansion of the band or chain as a whole. The main links 2 are open at the center along their under sides and the inner sliding connecting-links are provided with hooks at their ends for engaging with the end cross-bars of the main links. The inner links also have portions extending between the open sides of the main links and engaging beneath the hooksin the manner of a latch or keeper to hold the links in connected relation. One

novel and essential feature of the present in i a bracelet embodying the improved construction of the l1nks and provided with clasps at its ends for attaching it to the bails of a wrist watch or other article of jewelry.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 6, the outer or main links 2 are constructed from sheet-metal blanks; having a'main fiat portion which forms the top 5 or exposed portion of the link and sides 6 folded atrightangles thereto. The sides 6 are folded over again on the bottom of the link to'form long'itudinal strips or flanges 7- extending parallel with the top of the link. At one endofthe main link 2 the stock i'spunched with a. lateral slit 8 and bent at right-angles t0 the I My top of the link to provide a cross-bar 10. The cross-bar is bent orbowed outwardly from the end of the link 2 to provide for the entrance of the hook on the adjacent link through the slit 8 to adapt it to hook around the bar in the manner as hereinafter more fully explained. A The ends of the cross-bar 10 are joined to the top portion 5 of the link by portions 11 which are folded within the sides 6 and held in position by tabs or ears 12 bent over from the ends of the longitudinal sidestrips or flanges 7. The side-strips or flanges 7 also have tabs 13 bent over at their opposite ends and adapted to engage the ends of a second loose cross-bar 15 which projects across the open end of the main link 2. The

- cross-bar15 is criinped or folded at its center a to provide a projecting prong 16 which serves tIStL separator and steadying means for the pair of springs 4, see Fig. 2, enclosed within the link 2 to act on its slide 8. i

Theinner connecting-link or expansionslide 3 is constructed in two parts as illustrated in perspective view in Fig. 7. The

main slide 8 consists of a relatively'flat strip or plate of sheet-nietalhaving a narrowed tab or extension 18 bent or curled over at its end to form the hook 20. 7 At the opposite end of the slide 3 the stock is folded up to form a right-angledstrip 21 having the central portion of its edge slightly crowned or raised .with respect to the ends thereof. The end portions of the strip 21 are of such width as to adapt thein to be received within the confines of the space between the longitudinal 'bottoin strips or flanges 7 and the top 5 of the main link 2 when the slide 3 is inserted therein with its main portion abutting the bottoin of the top plate 5; it being under- .stood that in the present drawings the detailed views of the links show them in invert- 'inetal folded over at one end in a crossstrip 26. The cross-strip 26 is adapted to abut and overlie the side of the end-strip 21 of the slide-link 3 with its endpo'rtions 27 held between the flanges 7 and the hat topof the V slide in the manner as shown inost clearly in shown in F ig's. 2, 3 and 4;, the springs 4 are flattened with'their coils of substantially oval shape to adapt them to beicontain ed within the space between the main portion of the slide-link 3 and the latch 25. As illustrated more particularly in Fig. 2, the springs 1 extend inparallel relation between the end portion 26 of the latch 25 and the end cross-bar 15 ofthe outer link 2 and are held in spacedapart relation by the prongs 28 on the member 26 and prong 16 on the cross-bar 15. It will be understood thatthe springs 1 act be tween the cross-bar 15 of the link 2' and the end portion 26 of the latch 25 which bears against the end portion 21 of the slide 3, to hold said slide retracted or telescoped within the link 2. When the slide-link isdrawn out to the position illustrated at the right inFig. 2 the springs will be contracted inthe manner as here shown.

The several elements of the improved band, chain or linkage are assembled in cooperative relation in the manner as next explained. T he slide 8 is first inserted within the main link 2 by hooking its end 21 through the openings betwen the end-tabs 13 and the topplate 5. The slide is then slid back until its end portion 21 strikes against the folded POT? formed so that the latch-member 25 may be.

applied to place by canting it and inserting its ears 2? under the flanges 7 of the main link 2', considering the latter in its inverted position as shown in Fig. 6. The end portion 26 of the latch 25 is pushed back into place against the end-strip 21 on the slide 3 and the springs 41; are placed thereunder with their end loops engaged by'the prongs 28. It will be understood, of course, that in asseniblin g the parts in this manner the latch 25 is free to beswung' upwardly to allow for the insertion of the springs thereunder, and also that before the springs are placed in position the cross-bar 15 is applied to the main link 2 with its ends engaged with the end tabs 13 thereof. Now when the latch 25 is brought into place between the edges of the longitudinal side strips or flanges 7 the hook 20 is bent over with the edge of its beak overlapping the end of the latch to hold the latter in position to retain the other elements in place.

It will thus b-eseen that the several interconnected parts of the link may be assembled without the use of pins, rivets, or soldered Joints and withvery little hand work compared with that required in the manufacture of similar articles. 7

In operation, the springs 4 hold the end portion 26 of the latch 25 pressed against the end-strip 21 of the slide-link 3 and hearing at their opposite ends against the cross-bar 15 of the main link 2 they tend to maintain the link 3 telescoped within the link 2- pressure of the springs againstthe end portion 26 of the latch 25 also tends to hold this The i link 2.

part flat against the end-strip 2i of the slide 3 so that thelatch 25 is maintained in parallel relation with the main strip of the slide with its forward end resting snugly a g inst the beak of the hook 20. Usually in assembling the links in a bracelet, particularly a wristwatch bracelet such as shown in Fig. l, the two end sections thereof have their links arranged in opposite relation, the clasp-members at the ends of the bracelet being constructed in the same form as the main links with slides projecting from their box portions and provided with hooks to. hook into the ends of the box-links to which they are connected. This requires that the two sections of the bracelet be joined at the center by a dead link 31. Th-ecentral connecting or dead link 31 is preferably smaller than the otherlinks and may be constructed in the form shown in Fig. 8. As illustrated in this view it consists of a sheet-metal blank having sides 32 folded inwardly to provide bottom flanges 33 and opposite ears or tabs 34 bent over to engage the end cross-bars 35 which are folded over from the main strip of the link.

It has been "explained that the slides 8 are normally maintained telescoped within the outer main links 2, and it is to be understood that each slide 3 has its hook 20 inserted through the slit 8 and around the crossbar 10 of the next adjacent main link of the series,

see Figs. 2 and 3. To assemble the links in this relation it is simply necessary to draw the slide-link 3 out from the end of the main link 2 as shown at the right in Figs. 2 and 3. Normally, as before explained, the pressure of the springs 4. against the end-member 26 of. the latch 25 holds the latter in position with its end pressing against the edge of the beak of the hook 20, but when the slide 3 is withdrawn from the end of the link 2 the latch may be rocked by pressing down on its end as indicated at the right in Fig. 3. That is to say, with the springs l under compression the latch 25 will be free to rock to carry its forward end away from the beakof the hook 20 so that the hook may be readily engaged with the cross-bar 10 on the next main 1 referably, the latch constructed of somewhat thinner stock than the other parts of the link so that it is flexible of itself to be sprung away from the hook. This con.- struction and arrangement of the parts of the device not only provides for convenience and facility in connecting the links in the chain,

but also allows for the adjustn'ient in the length of the bracelet or other article by the detachment of'one or more links therefrom or the insertion of additional links therein.

It will be observed from the above that my invention provides a particularly simple construction for articles of the type specified, whereby the cost of manufacture is materially reduced. The elimination of pins, rivets,

connecting the links and the complete article is not only neater and more ornamental in appearance, but more convenient to operate ,1 i

attaching and detaching the individual links.

The 1m )roved band chaln or bracelet 1s also less hable to wear or breakage and is stronger and more durable in use than slmilar art1cles of the same type.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that various modificationsmay be made in the form and structure'of the various component parts of the device without departing fromv the spirit or scope of the invention. v j

Therefore without limitation in this respect, I'claim: V

1. In an expansible band, chain, or linkage, the combination of outer box-like links having bottom flanges extending inwardly from their sides, slides slidable within the outer links and provided with hooks at their ends adapted to engage the ends of adjacent links, springs enclosed within the links and acting to maintain the slides in telescoped relation, and separate latch-members assembled on the slides and normally held in position by the springs with their ends cooperating with the pen ends of the hooks to close the latter,

said latch-members being adapted to be manually rocked against the action of the springs to open the hooks 2. In an expansible band, chain, or linkage, the combination of outer box-like main links having closed sides with strips or flanges ex tending inwardly therefrom atthe botto n, slides slidable beneath the top of the main links and having portions held between the top-portions and bottom-flanges thereof, said slides formed with hooks at oneend, separate latch-members assembled on the slides with their ends engaging beneath the beak of the hooks and provided with portions abutting the opposite end-portions of the slide, and springs extending between the end-portions of the latches and the ends of the main links,

combination of an outer box-link formed with a relatively flat top with sides extending downwardlytherefrom and lateral flanges end-portion abutting the end-strip on the slide and the latch flush with the bOttOlll flanges on the main link, and a spring arranged between'the slide and the lateh to beer at one end against the end portion of the latch to hold it flat against the end-strip of the slide and with its opposite end bearing against the cross-bar of the main link, said spring tending to maintain the slide telescoped' within the main link and its latch held in position with its end engaged with the beak of the hook. I

4. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a main link formed with a relatively flat top, sides bent downwardly therefronrand folded inwardlyto provide longitudinal flanges, said flanges bent upwardly at their ends, cross-bars extending between the bent ends of the side flanges, a slide-link slidable beneath the top-portion of the main link and adapted to project therefrom at one'side of the end cross-bar thereof, said slide-link provided with a right-angled end-strip and a hook at its opposite end projecting from the main link, a separate latch-member having a relatively flat portion arranged between the edges of the bottom flanges of the main link flush therewith and provided with an endportion bent at right-angles and formed with ears held between the top and the bottonn flanges of the main link with the forward end i of said latch engaged with the beak of the hook on the slide-link, and a pair of springs held between the latch and the top of the slide-link and bearing'at one end against the cross-bar of the main link and at their op posite ends against the end portion of the latch to hold it flat against the end-strip of the slide in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.

5. Ina device of the type specified, the combination of a main link having a topportion with sides bent downwardly therefrom and folded inwardly to provide sideflanges, .a fixed cross-bar at one end. of the link, a removable cross-bar at the opposite end of said link, a slide slidable within the main link and provided with an end portion held between its top and bottom-flanges, said slide provided with hook at its opposite end, a separate latch-member having an endstrip overlyingand abutting the end portion of the slide and held in place between the top r of the main link and its bottom-flanges with its end engaging under the edge of the hook on the slide, and a spring held between the latch and the slide with one end bearing against a the end-strip of the latch to hold it flat against the end portion of the slide and the opposite end held by the removable cross-bar on the main link.

6. Ina deviceof the type specified, the coina latch having an end-strip overlying and abutting the end-strip on the slide and provided with forwardly projecting prongs, said latch arranged with its free end engaged with the beak of the hook, and a pair of springs arranged between the slide and its latch bearing against the removable cross-bar at one end with their. opposite ends held by the prongs on the end-strip of the latch to hold the latter in place with its end-strip flat against the end-strip on the slide.

7. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a main link having a top withsides bent downwardly therefrom and folded inwardly to provide lateral bottom-flanges, tabs bent over from the ends of the bottomflanges, said link having a slitted end portion bent downwardly with its ends held by tabs on the bot-toin flanges folded thereover, and a slide slidable within the'main link and pro In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES H, KEQTENMAN; 

